Woman Stole Over $400K From NYPD Charity, Used It to Buy Barbra Streisand Tickets: DOJ
WHAT KIND OF FOOL
A Staten Island woman was arrested and charged Thursday for stealing over $400,000 meant for the families of NYPD officers killed in the line of duty, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said. Lorraine Shanley, 68, was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly using her position as a former volunteer treasurer of a nonprofit charity to steal $410,000 for personal use, “including over $1,400 for Barbra Streisand concert tickets,” prosecutors allege. “Lorraine Shanley allegedly capitalized on tragedy and monetized people’s generosity,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Thursday. “As alleged, Shanley stole over 20 percent of the donations to a charity whose sole mission is to help the families of NYPD officers killed in the line of duty.” The former charity worker also allegedly used the stolen money to pay for her grandson’s private school tuition, her son’s legal fees, and landscaping costs. If convicted, Shanley faces up to three decades in prison.